Deeper Truths for Hungry Hearts
March 2018 • Volume XVI Number 07
”But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. “ (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Thoughts for Consideration:
Greetings again my Brethren. God is looking for us to stop all of our running around and yoyo daily living (up one day and down the next) , and just come into a rest that can only be built in us by God Himself. Now make no mistake my friend this can be a very painful process in our lives. Many people (even some Christians) say give your heart to Jesus and your life will be a breeze, well that is just a bold face lie. The opposite is true. Either God or you are in charge of your life. Both cannot be running your life. Either we are walking in the ways of God or we are walking in our own steps. In Psalm David says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” (Psalm 37:23) How can man know the ways that make God delight? By walking in His (God’s) ways. And God’s ways are not our ways no matter how people try to spin it. What is the only way for man to be happy? By walking in the way that God has ordained for man to walk. The Psalms has a lot to say about walking in the way God wants us to walk so we can come to a place of rest as we learn to wait on Him. In Psalm 37 we read, “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (Psalms 37:3-5) Let us take these three verses and see what God would have for us. I have highlighted the beginning of each verse to set the central thought of the verse. In verse three the central thought has to do with “trust.” If we trust in the LORD we shall have confidence in the integrity and character of God for our daily provision. Isaiah said it like this, “Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.” (Isaiah 50:10) How can man direct his steps if he knows not where he is going? He is in darkness (not the spiritual darkness) because he does not have the light of knowing and understanding which is only found by walking in the ways of God. The fear of the LORD brings wisdom and understanding maybe that is why many people (including Christians have little wisdom today and no fear (respect and awe) of God. God’s integrity and character speak for themselves yet many people (including some Christians) take for granted His qualities as a guide to live by and yet lean to their own understanding. Verse four begins with the word “delight.” Now do not think you know what the word “delight” means. The word “delight” has nothing to do with making us happy. We humans (me too sometimes) are always looking for the shortest way to happiness or “the desires of our heart,” well God is not so much concerned about our happiness as we are. The word “delight” means to become pliable. moldable, bendable. Then we can seek and find in God our greatest joy and satisfaction. How can this be? Well when we allow God to mold and shape us and work in our lives then our desires will be His desires and how can He not give us our desires when our desires is now His desires? But unless we allow God to bend us and break us, mold us as the potter beats the clay on the wedging board then kneads the clay over and over before it is placed on the wheel of life and fashioned for His use as a vessel of honor or dishonor. Only to be broken down time and time again until the clay has been made into a vessel of use by the potter waiting for the furnace. The finished vessel is not done until it has been forged in the flames of God’s purifying fire. The writer to the Hebrews tells us, “For our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:29) Maybe that is why many people (including Christians) do not choose to stand too close to Him. They know if they get too close to the LORD they and their plans, ways, and dreams will be burnt up into ashes they are not willing to see all they have become and all they want in the future to go up in smoke. But God has a better way. And verse five begins with the word “commit.” How do we commit our ways unto the LORD? Well the second part of verse five tells us, “trust also in Him” There can never be any “committing” our ways to the LORD without first “trusting” in the LORD. I guess the question is not have we committed our ways to the LORD, but have we trusted our ways to the LORD. Religious people commit while Christians trust. Which one are you? In 1887 John H. Sammis penned the words, “Trust and obey for there no other way.” For us to trust and obey we must not love this world nor the things in it. It is hard thing to do in this life, but the older I get the more I understand to make it to heaven the more I need to hate this world (not the earth, but an anti-Christ system) and all that the world stands for. Now there is true commitment.
Next month we will begin to look at the proper characteristics of our waiting. Walter Beuttler said if you build God a temple He will inhabit it. Have you built God a temple? If you do He will abide and wait for you.
Written by David Stahl
ARTICLE REVIEW:
God’s Word Says
I think (if you have any Bible teaching) you would have to be as dumb as a red brick not to be able to see we are living in the day and hour that Jesus Christ could return from heaven as the men in the crowd promised when Jesus ascended on high. In Acts we read, “And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:10-11) Now it does not say Angel, it says “two men stood by them in white apparel.” When Jesus was born heaven’s angels heralded His humble birth and when He went away, “two men stood by them in white apparel” gave the world the blessed news of some day He would return. During Jesus’ time on earth He told the disciples and the crowd that followed Him He was going away, but they never really understood. But, we would have to be almost blind not to be able to understand how close the return of Christ is. I would think there is nothing to be added to the wicked, evil heart condition of this world for these words of Jesus to come to pass in our life time, “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 36But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (Matthew 24:34) The wickedness and perversion of man ever increases, yet I do not believe (today) man needs to do any more to equal the debauchery of the people of Noah’s (Noe) day. Jesus could make His return at any second of the day. The last few years I believe (in my spirit) the second hand on God’s clock has moved closer to His return. I cannot explain it or define it, but I feel in my spirit Jesus’ return could happen (come Lord Jesus) at any time. In verse 39, the Lord confirmed a thought to me that I have been saying for years. I do not believe the people in the world today will really know when Jesus comes back for the third time, as the men in white apparel said in Acts. It will be His third coming not His second. I do not know why we call it His second coming. Jesus came as a child (first), was put to death, went to hell and preached, came back to life, was seen of the disciples and others, ascended to heaven (Acts 1:10-11) (second), and will come back a third time to receive His bride unto Himself, a time no man knows the day or hour. In verse 39, in Noe’s day it says the people “knew not until the flood came” so too in our day. I believe a very very small number of people will be caught away to be with the Lord when He returns and the world will not even miss us. The world will go on living life as it did in the days of Noe, “so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” today. May we be ready when the Lord comes calling. I have thought what will be the qualifications for those who will be taken when Jesus returns? I feel sure it will be more than just being a Christian because the Christians in the Book of Hebrews endured, “Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:” (Hebrews 11:34-39) Did you get that they “received not the promise.” These dedicated and faithful, highly exalted by God Christians thought they were going to see Christ return as the two men in white promised. All they went through in suffering, in tribulation, in sorrow, in death, and in spite of “obtaining a good report” yet they did not receive the promise. And we think we will sing and dance our way into heaven, oh no my friend we are woefully mistaken God will require more of us to be able to be raised with Him when He returns.
So far in this article all that I have shared has been background, but what I feel the Lord wants me to talk about is how we must not use the Bible (God’s written word to man) as a way to validate what we believe the future holds for the world and even the church, but we must have His word settled in our heart and mind. The Bible is a Spiritual book and can only be understood and interpreted by the Spirit of God any attempt without the Holy Spirit is presumption, thinking they are right, but in reality they are wrong. Today we find “end-time Bible teachers” (you know their names I am not going to mention any just watch TBN) who take events happening in the world today and pick Scripture after Scripture to lay over the events happening in the world to see if they kind of fit, to be able to say this day prophesy has been fulfilled, then throw it all against the wall to see if it sticks in the hearts and minds of Christians who do not really know better. These bad actors (hypocrites) are the false teachers (as Jesus promised us) unskilled in the word of God, who have pedaled and sold the word of God for favor, influence, and financial gain. Let us be honest no man knows the future if they did they would be God at the very best these liars are guessing as they change their words as events change in the world. Brethren be not deceived by the “end-time Bible teachers” they are thieves and charlatans. The Bible is the standard and means to be used to define what the future holds. How foolish we are to think we can guess the future with events of the world. If God is not telling us something then we do not need to know about it. Man always wants to know; well wanting to know got Eve and us in a lot of trouble. If God is not telling us then we need to go along for the ride in faith (and not guess) and let God be God to handle the future. Our guessing and false teaching is wrapped up in greed and arrogance this will never do. The written word of God is always the predictor of the future and it is our responsibility to study it and discover what the Spirit is telling us not the 6 o’clock news, CNN, or FOX. It is no wonder the folks in the world want little to do with the nominal church. We must get serious souls are at stake. All throughout the Old Testament the birth and coming of Christ was foretold and the spoken and written words were manifested in the New Testament. The Bible foretold (in detail) what was going to happen and it did. This is still the method God intends for us to use today. The Bible means what it says and not what we want it to say, even if we think it makes God more powerful and mighty in the eyes of the world. We often think by embellishing the word of God we can make God look bigger and better, but not so. The Bible is written to complement line upon line, verse upon verse, precept upon precept, and concept upon concept. If we change the order or add to the thought God has intentioned (in any line, verse, precept or concept) then we have changed God’s word to man, a crime punishable by death. This is a critical point we must understand when studying the Bible, yet daily many make a fortune in misrepresenting the Bible and worse use the Bible to convey an idea or understanding that are not laid out in the Bible, but are used to support lies to win hearts, minds, and money.
Now it is true Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father (because the Bible tells us so), but it is not true Jesus left us. Please let me say that again, Jesus has never left us. In John we read about Jesus departing and the coming of the precious Holy Spirit, but even in this Jesus never left us, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (John 16:7-13) WOW what sure help in present troubles. WOW what a truth, “he will shew you things to come” not the guessing we call end-time prophesy. What will the Holy Spirit use to shew us all things? That’s right the word of God. But, even though Jesus departed earth that does not mean Jesus has left us. Later on we will look at verses where Jesus says He will never leave or forsake us. While on the cross Jesus cried out to His Father, “why have thou forsaken Me?” Did the Father forsake Jesus? I think not the Father raised Jesus from the dead.
Karen and I have four wonderful kids who we love very much and are proud of; they were born in two groups: Dave 1980 + Dan 1981 and Connie 1986 + Joshua 1987. When Dave and Dan were babies I would take them to the park to play on the swings. They were about three and four year old babies. I would put Dave in one swing and Dan in another. I would push Dave and then Dan faster and higher they would go you should have seen the look on their face what joy and pleasure, total happiness. They would look over at each other with shouts of glee and say, dad really loves us we are so lucky to have such a loving father. Is this not the way we felt when we first gave our hearts to the Lord? But after a while I would not push every stroke, maybe every other stroke, then every three strokes and when they realized I was not pushing them their faces really changed. As the swing got slower and almost stopped I would jump behind a tree and hide so I could listen to them. Dan where is dad? Dad? Dad where are you? Dave dad does not love us. Is this not the way we act when things do not go our way? You should have heard them cry and seen their faces as tears were streaming down, it was a sight to see. Suddenly I would jump out from behind the tree and say Dave! Dan! They would go Dad! And I would push them again and all would be well again in their little world. A question, did I leave my boys? No of course not I was right there with them all the time. It was not I left them, but they could not see me. Did Jesus leave us? No of course not He has been here with us all the time it is just at times we cannot see Him. Jesus said, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway (Strong’s #3956 individually), even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-19) Now Jesus was not saying He would be with everyone at the same time, His words were not directed to many people His words were directed to the heart of one person, individually, who believed His words. In a congregation of people the preached word will only take root in the hearts of the people who believe. Jesus was not speaking to the masses here, but to the one who needs Him to speak words of strength and comfort. Jesus was giving to the one who believes a personal promise “lo, I am with you.”
In the First Chapter of Genesis 10 times in the 29 verse it is recorded, “And God said.” These my friend are more than words they are a life-long revelation we must possess deep within our heart and mind of God speaking a word to us and we know it will happen not because we believe or have faith, but because God spoke and in obedience we believe. Do you see the difference? Without this critical revelation the best we will be able to do is guess what God wants us to do and this my friend will never bring us to the end and purpose God has planned for us. The question today is do we really believe what God’s word says or will we believe a liar of the world who would deceive you and rob you of your very soul. Jesus warns us time and time again to take heed to ourselves in this area, yet again these liars increase daily. We do not need to have someone try to convince us of their spiritual ability to understand the Scriptures oh no, what we need to do is study the Scriptures for ourselves and allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all truths. We need to believe Jesus when He says “lo, I am with you” my friend He means it. If it is written in the Bible then it will happen no matter what people say or what the news reports. If God’s word says it then it must be settled in our heart and mind.
Written by David Stahl
THOUGHTS FROM KAREN:
Are You Saved
Paul writes in Ephesians, “For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of GOD. Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are HIS workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which GOD hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2: (8-10) The difference between being saved and being religious is two-fold: (1) we’re saved by grace through faith. NOT works. (2) We are to walk in the good works THAT GOD has ordained for us to walk in. What does this mean? Most denominations are (let’s face it) works orientated; do this, this, and this and you’re okay. This is works of men (a performance based salvation) and man’s pathway to salvation. And why?? Mainly for control and manipulation, and to fill the money coffers. As long as they get their money now and can control people in this life they could give a flying flip if people go to hell or not. What are GODS works that Paul talks about in Ephesians? Both “works” are translated the same. GOD’S works are those things that HE brings in to our lives to mold us and shape us, without which we are absolutely useless to him. Until GOD get’s a hold of us and works on our character so we can be like HIS son Jesus, anything we do on our own in the way of good works is useless. True salvation brings an inward change. This brings me to my point of being saved, this was illustrated in a movie, which I don’t really recommend unless you really like tanks. the language is rough and , well it is a war movie. One of the characters in the movie is called Bible and he address’s the new guy that’s just been assigned to their tank. This is taken from the movie Fury:
Bible: Are you a praying man?
New guy : I go to church.
Bible: Who’s your denomination order, Episcopalian? Yeah, you are, you’re a main liner aren’t you?
New Guy: Yeah, I am.
Bible: Are you saved?
New Guy: I’m baptized.
All the tank guys laugh.
Bible: That ain’t what I asked you.
Grady: That ain’t what he asked you.
Bible: Hey Gordo what did I ask him?
Gordo : Are you saved?
Grady: You gotta listen.
Bible: Are you saved?
New Guy: Just blankly looks at Bible…..
And so it is with main line religions and denominations, folks can be religious, but are they saved? They can be a card carrying member and go to church every time the doors are opened, but are they saved? Dave and I went to a church one time and the LORD told Dave for these people to be saved they must come to the truth that everyone in their lives have lied to them. Their preacher, their parents, everyone of authority in their lives. For some this will be a bridge too far to cross. As GOD extends HIS hand of salvation out to us, we MUST let go of the world. We MUST let go of religious trappings and cling to HIM and HIM only.
Okay let’s break it down this way:
Saved
Know that they are blood bought
Know their Bible try to live
Allow the Holy Spirit to work
Their faith is in Jesus
Minimum traditions if any
Unsaved
Kind of doubtful
Know more about their denominations
doctrine
Resist the wooing of the Holy Spirit
Do in their lives what they want to do and what their religion wants them to do
Their faith is in their denomination
All kinds of traditions (which are not biblical)
For us to be saved we must stop believing we can save ourselves by traditions of men like infant water baptism. Now when we are of age to decide for ourselves to be baptized. It is an outward declaration, but it in itself won’t save us. We must stop believing if only we are good enough. We can never be good enough and we can never do enough “good works” to save us. Are we trying to negate what was done on the cross, by trying to work for our salvation? Jesus said from the cross, “it is finished.” (John 19:30). He did all the work and HE was the once and for all sacrifice for our sins. “It is finished!” There’s no more “sacrificing” or offering up a sacrifice, it’s done, finished! To go through repeated communion “sacrificing” is plain HERESEY. We are slapping Jesus in the face and saying HIS sacrifice once and for all is not enough. We’re not taking Jesus at HIS word “it is finished.” During the passover feast Jesus said, “do this in remembrance of me,” HE did not say make this annual feast (the passover feast) a daily religious ordnance. The Bible says Jesus sits at the right hand of the FATHER (Hebrews 10:12) so how can bread and wine be magically turned into HIM?? The sacrifice is over!! What utter foolishness, oh the millions who have bowed the knee to some lousy bread in idolatry thinking they were bowing to Jesus himself. Read your Bible. It’s all in there. This is just a short little article and there is so much more in that wonderful love letter called the Bible. Salvation is a free gift it is accepted not by works less any man should boast. Are you saved? Better make sure there ain’t no second chances when we’re dead. Are you saved?
Written by Karen Stahl
NEEDS NO WANTS:
- In Silistra, Bulgaria Pastor(s) Niki Marsov and Emil Nedelchev. Included now are missionaries from Romania Nicu and Elena. Times are troubled in Bulgaria much prayer and support is needed.
- Constanta, Romania Pastors Luke and Jacob at Bethel Church and George Ritisan at the Romanian Center for Cross-cultural Studies Bible School and the Faru (Lighthouse) Church.
- In Suceava, Romania Pastors Nicu and Marcel at St. Andrews Church. They are still standing by God’s grace.
- Pastor Joseph Mutua in Nairobi, Kenya needs your prayer and financial support.
- Pastor Mike Olufemi in Aveile, Nigeria. He needs our prayers and support to be a light in great darkness.
- Pastor S. J. Peter, Founder of DAWN Ministries in Hyderabad and Pastor Wilson and his son Pastor Julian in Sankaraguptham, India.
- Pastor Metin Mintaz, Dan, Cathy, and members of Uskudar Son Buyruk Kilisesi in Istanbul, Turkey.
- Pastor Elieti Msangi in Dar Es Salaam and Pastors Isreal Mutaitina and John Balone in Bukoba, Tanzania.
- Monthly financial support for Vivian’s Maternity and Child Care Clinic project in Aviele, Nigeria.
- Pastor Tek Dahl at Gethsemane, Church (his church) and their radio station “Good News 105.1 FM” in Kathmandu, Nepal.
- Bishop John, Samuel Kamanzi (from the Congo), and, Emmanuel Ndolimana in Ruhengeli, Rwanda.
NEXT HOME GROUP MEETING:
27 March 2018 at 7:00 pm
At 232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
7:00 pm please RSVP
Home: (910) 741-0489
FUTURE SCHEDULE:
February: Local Ministry
March: Local Ministry
April: Local Ministry
I am still available to share what God has given me at churches and/or home groups. If God moves on your heart to support BHG or other ministries we personally know we would be honored to serve as a go between. Remember, if we want a blessing from God the spiritual principle is we must bless others. Remember, God is to you what you are to God.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Address:
David and Karen Stahl
232 Everett Drive
Sneads Ferry, NC 28460
Phone:
Home: (910) 741-0489
Mobile: (910) 382-9287
FAX: (910) 741-0489
Email:
dstahl@beholdinghisglory.com
Website:
www.www.beholdinghisglory.com/
Blog:
http://bhisglory.blogspot.com/
The AuthorHouse link below will lead you to our latest book, “Thoughts for Consideration.” Just copy it into your web browser and return. Also you can purchase two of our other books “Adventures with God.” and “God Still Performs Miracles: A Book of Personal Encouragement.”
http://www.authorhouse.com/AuthorCenter/Protected/BookHome.aspx?bookID=61464
Please take a minute and take a look, they all make for a great encouraging gift, giving hope and sharing God’s love through a deeper teaching that someone can enjoy again and again. All of our books can be purchased at all book stores like Barnes and Nobles, Borders, Book-A-Million, and etc., any Christian Book Store that orders, and all book ordering on-line companies like Amazon.com. Or if you are like me from the old school just contact us, we will let you know the price and then we will mail it out to your home address. Postage and handling is on a case by case basis.
If you know someone you think would enjoy receiving this newsletter or if you receive this newsletter and do not wish to please let me know. Contributions to this ministry is always appreciated and needed the more time continues. Please feel free to contact us with the above information. The cost is great, but the cost for not supporting to others is even greater. And remember, all donations are tax deductible.
